Progress:Region

Pomeroy, Palmer look toward the future

Playground is one goal; co-op plans expansion

February 17, 2013

CALHOUN/POCAHONTAS COUNTIES -June Miller, temporary city clerk for the city of Pomeroy, is happy to show visitors to City Hall a picture of the new playground equipment they would like to have.

"We're trying to raise money to get this for the kids," she said while pointing to the rendering.

She said that some of it will be installed this summer but that there is still a bit of a way to go. There's a real need for it.

Article Photos

-Messenger photo by Hans MadsenPomeroy Library director Marcia Ehn works with Jennifer Bridwell recently on one of the library’s computers. The terminals and WiFi are popular with their patrons.

-Messenger photo by Hans MadsenSeveral new 3,000-gallon anhydrous ammonia tanks, at left, sit next to a row of older 1,450-gallon models at the New Cooperative in Palmer. The larger tanks offer both safety and efficiency advantages to the producer using them.

-Messenger photo by Hans MadsenA wind turbine is framed by a large corn storage unit at the Palmer New Cooperative facility. They are adding a faster grain unloading facility this year.

-Messenger photo by Hans MadsenEmily Pelz, owner of Uptown Cuts in Pomeroy, works on finishing Cyndi Poppinga’s new hairdo recently. Pelz grew up in Pomeroy and enjoys having her business there. She shares space in the same building as the Library and City Hall.

"It's needs to be renewed," she said of the park.

In addition to serving at City Hall, Miller is also new to the area; she makes her home in nearby Palmer after relocating from South Carolina.

"It's quiet, it's nice, the people are very friendly," she said.

In future, she would like to see one additional thing.

"We need more restaurants," she said.

Across the foyer in the same building, Marcia Ehn, the Pomeroy Library director, is in the process of applying to Calhoun County for a grant.

"It's for improving the children's section," she said.

Additions will include more books, some Spanish selections as well as decorations.

"We want bright and pretty colors," she said.

She said the library sees heavy use by residents, especially the computers.

"We have four PCs and four laptops," she said. "They're always busy especially after school."

She also lives in Pomeroy. She said she's been a resident about 40 years.

"We have many caring, wonderful people," she said.

She has no qualms about recommending the community as a place to live. She would like to see more residents, particularly families.

"They can take advantage of what we offer," she said.

Emily Pelz, owner of Uptown Cuts, also shares space in the building with the library and city hall. She's been in her location for seven years but grew up in the community.

She likes having her business there.

"Everyone is so friendly," she said. "It's like one big family."

She's also happy to see the playground equipment being replaced.

"That will be great for our community," she said.

In nearby Palmer, the New Cooperative Inc. facility features giant silos and elevator legs that tower into the sky. Gary Devereaux, location manager at the facility, said that plans for addition features and expansion are already under way.

"We're updating our grain receiving area," he said. The new pit will be able to handle 15,000 bushels per hour instead of the current 8,000.

"It's a great improvement for the farmers," he said. They are able to get in and out faster during harvest and back to their fields.

In addition, the facility is also adding a 72-by-160 foot building in late spring or early summer. It will be used to house their seeds, agronomy and chemical products.

He said that they are also in the process of replacing the current 1,450-gallon anhydrous ammonia tanks with 3,000-gallon units. The move benefits everyone.

He said they offer a safety advantage for both the user and the drivers on the highway that includes better visibility and truck tires that are much more stable than implement tires. The larger containers also save the farmer time in changing tanks and transporting them for refills.

"They're a very important safety improvement," he said.

He credits residents of the area for making the facility a success.

"We have good patrons who do business with us," he said.

"It's for improving the children's section," she said.

Additions will include more books, some Spanish selections as well as decorations.

"We want bright and pretty colors," she said.

She said the library sees heavy use by residents, especially the computers.

"We have four PCs and four laptops," she said. "They're always busy especially after school."

She also lives in Pomeroy. She said she's been a resident about 40 years.

"We have many caring, wonderful people," she said.

She has no qualms about recommending the community as a place to live. She would like to see more residents, particularly families.

"They can take advantage of what we offer," she said.

Emily Pelz, owner of Uptown Cuts, also shares space in the building with the library and city hall. She's been in her location for seven years but grew up in the community.

She likes having her business there.

"Everyone is so friendly," she said. "It's like one big family."

She's also happy to see the playground equipment being replaced.

"That will be great for our community," she said.

In nearby Palmer, the New Cooperative Inc. facility features giant silos and elevator legs that tower into the sky. Gary Devereaux, location manager at the facility, said that plans for addition features and expansion are already under way.

"We're updating our grain receiving area," he said. The new pit will be able to handle 15,000 bushels per hour instead of the current 8,000.

"It's a great improvement for the farmers," he said. They are able to get in and out faster during harvest and back to their fields.

In addition, the facility is also adding a 72-by-160 foot building in late spring or early summer. It will be used to house their seeds, agronomy and chemical products.

He said that they are also in the process of replacing the current 1,450-gallon anhydrous ammonia tanks with 3,000-gallon units. The move benefits everyone.

He said they offer a safety advantage for both the user and the drivers on the highway that includes better visibility and truck tires that are much more stable than implement tires. The larger containers also save the farmer time in changing tanks and transporting them for refills.